Chargers 2018 NFL Draft: Ranking top 5 DT prospects

The Chargers ranked near the bottom in run defense. While there are multiple factors as to why they were nearly last in this category, one of the biggest reasons for their inability was the interior defensive line. The production of their defensive tackles was less than optimal.

Defensive lineman Corey Liuget had a more productive season than in 2016, but he has not lived up to his contract and it remains questionable whether or not he is worth his significant salary cap hit this offseason. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Brandon Mebane has regressed this year and will be 33 years old to start the 2018 NFL season. Though Mebane is a great team leader, it is clear that his prime years are coming to an end.

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Finally, defensive tackle Darius Philon showed a promising season with the limited snaps he was given, but he may not be ready to take over the responsibilities of having a starting job. It is plausible that Los Angeles could look to move on from both of their starting defensive tackles in Liuget and Mebane, but they would need to replace two starters along their defensive line if they did so.

As such, here is a ranking of the top five defensive tackle prospects that fit the Chargers’ needs coming out in the 2018 NFL draft class.

Former Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea is precisely the type of player Los Angeles needs to be lined up as a run-stuffing nose tackle with his ability to split double teams and make plays wherever the football is.

The Pat Tillman Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year is a dominant and physical force who occupies space naturally. His size and strength combination makes it nearly impossible to move him off the line of scrimmage.

The former Husky tallied up 99 total tackles (65 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 2017.